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AgVetLink: Number 53, December 2005

The ERMA Integrating Initiatives for Pesticide Risk Reduction Workshop

The ERMA workshop was opened by the new Minister for the Environment, Hon David Benson-Pope, who set the scene for the day’s discussions of integrated pest management, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) funding strategy, and trends in pesticide use.

Pipfruit sector achievements

Mike Butcher of Pipfruit NZ presented the impressive achievements of the pipfruit sector in integrated pipfruit production, based on bringing together better understanding of the relationships between pests, their hosts and parasites, and the climate. Growers have access to daily updates of online information, allowing them to predict and respond to pests before they become a problem. Dr Butcher explained how integrated fruit production (IFP) has not, and is unlikely to, eliminate the need for use of traditional chemical interventions or the need for newer, more sophisticated chemistry. However, it allows for a more subtle response to pest problems with targeted chemical and biological interventions.

Integrated pest management

Philippa Stevens from HortResearch spoke about how integrated pest management (IPM) has been around since the early 1970s but is by no means ‘old hat’. It is a system that constantly evolves to meet new and emerging challenges, and requires input from a wide range of technical expertise.

Participants were asked to suggest what opportunities had become apparent during the course of the workshop. It was suggested that there could be more emphasis on integrated weed control. However, it was also apparent that most of the FRST-funded IPM work was focused on the larger sectors, and there would seem to be an opportunity for growers of minor crops.